Machine for cleaning small machine parts



M. e. DYSTHE MACHINE FOR CLEANING SMALL MACHINE PARTS Filed July 24, 19:59 2 Sheets-sheaf 1 fiwefi/Zor .2

r I Aiiorne'ys March 3, 1942. M. s. DYSTHE 2,274,391

I MACHINE FOR CLEANING SMALL MACHINE PARTS Filed July 24, 1959 2 Sheets-Shet-Z Ahiorn/ys clean and dry.

Patented Mar. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE Maonmaroaonfil zir zgsmmmonma v This invention relates to machines for cleaning I objects and particularly to a machine for cleaning small machine made metal parts.

Small metal parts made on automatic screw machines or other machine tools are usually taken from the machines in quantities mixed with, metal shavings and covered with lubricant and chips and grains of metal. Considerable work is usually involved in rendering the parts A general object of my invention is to provide, ina single machine, means for effectively and efficiently removing lubricant and metal shavings, chips and grains from small metalparts with a minimum expenditure of time and effort .15

on the part of a person operating the machine.

Another obiect'is to provide such a machine wherein the parts being cleaned are automatically carried by gravity from one to another of respective portions of the machine which perform 29 successive operations on the parts.

Yet another object is to provide such a machine whereinrotating members in respective portions of the machine may be disposed at a common level and rotate about a common axis 2;

and yet enable delivery by gravity of parts to be cleaned from one portion to another of the machine.

Still another object is to provide in such a machine a simple device for simultaneously tum- 80 bling, washing, and elevating parts to be cleaned.

A further object is to provide such a device so constructed as to be operable to either pass parts therethrough at a normal rate or toretain parts therein for any desired extended period of time. 35

Fig. 1 is a general side view of an embodiment 45 of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of a portionbf the machine of Fig. 1 drawn to enlarged scale;

Fig. 3.1a an end view of the structure of Fig. 2 as viewed from the right.

m. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of another portion of the machine of Fig. l drawn to enlarged scale:

F g. 5 is an end view of the structure of Fig. 4 as viewed from the right; I

Fig. 6 is a detail 'view; and

Fig. 7 is a general side view' of another form of my machine drawn to reduced scale.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrated em- 7 bodiment of my invention includes a tray A for receiving parts covered with lubricant and metal chips and particles, and mixed with metal shavings of various lengths, this tray being provided with means for screening long shavings from the parts, a tumbler drum B for removing metallic particles, chips and relatively short shavings from the parts, a second tumbler drum C and associated apparatus for removing any remaining metallic particles and washing the parts in ,a solvent for removing lubricant, a third tumbler drum D and associated'apparatus for washing solvent from the parts and drying theparts, and a tray E for receiving parts which have been cleaned and dried in the preceding portions of the machine.

The tray 'A may consist of a shallow box a portion 8 of the floor of which is formed of wire mesh or screen or the equivalent having interstices of such dimensions as to pass the parts to be cleaned and yet impede passage therethrough of, at least a majority of the metallic shavings which are usually mixed with small machine made parts.

- A chute 9 issultably attached to the lower side of the tray A toreceive parts falling through the reticulated floor portion 8 and deliver the received parts into the parts receiving end of the interior of the first tumbler unit B. The chute 9 may be constructed of suitable material such as sheet metal and is curved downwardly and to i the right as indicated in Fig. l.

The first tumbler B is open at both ends to provide a parts inlet and a parts outlet at respectively the left and right ends thereof and con- 4o sists of a reticulated tubular member it which is slightly tapered to have a somewhat larger diameter at its outlet end than at its inlet end andis provided, at its inlet end with an annular flange Illa projecting convergently outwardly of the inlet end of the member Ill and toward the axis of the member II. I flnd it convenient and economical to construct the member l0 and flange Illa of rod stock or relatively heavy wire 1 55 other purposes to be explained, straps Ii are placed on the exterior of the member l3, and rods l2 are placed on the interior of the member I and flange Illa. The straps II and rods l2 are secured to the helically bent wire forming the structure at preferably all points of contact therewith by suitable means such as welding or the like. The straps H extend substantially parallel to the axis of the member III with each strap I I spanning a substantial number of turns of the wire forming the member Ill, as shown in Fig. 2. The straps H are disposed in respective groups thereof located near respective ends of the member iii, the straps ii of each group being spaced circumferentially of the member (HI as shown. Therods l2 extend lengthwise of the member I. substantially parallel to the axis thereof and circumferentially spaced apart relative to the member Ill. The left-hand ends of the rods I2 are extended along the inner periphery of the flange "a to the outer edge thereof.

Means is provided for supporting the tumbler drum B for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof. This means may include a hollow shaft l3 disposed coaxially of the member I0 and spokes l4 extending between the shaft l3 and the straps H and suitably secured to the shaft i3 and straps II by suitable means such as by welding or the like. I have found it convenient to form respective pairs of the spokes l4, as shown in Fig. 3, by bending rods into a general V-sliape at the apex of which is a curved portion extending by the open right-hand end of the member it. The parts discharged from the tumbler B will still be coated with lubricantto which a few small metallic particles are adhering.

Removal of the lubricant and remaining small metallic particles from the parts is eifected in the second tumbler drum C which will be described.

The tumbler drum C includes at its left-hand end an annular band 22 carrying at its left-hand edge an. annular inwardly projecting flange 22a. To the right of the band 22 is a wider band 23 slightly increasing in diameter'toward the right. The band 22 isjoined along its respective edges to adjoining edges of the flange 22a. and band band 23 and disposed with its width parallel to arcuately about the shaft l3 through a few angular degrees, the free ends of the bent rods being secured to the straps II.

For support of the hollow shaft l3 and the member 10, a shaft I5 is provided on the left-' hand portion of which the hollow shaft I3 is snugly telescoped and secured by suitable means.

The respective ends of the shaft ii are journalled 'in upstanding bearing brackets l6 and, vI'I which are mounted on a suitable base such as a floor F. It is to be noted that the right-hand end of the shaft extends only to the medial portion of the bearing of the bearing bracket 11. The left-hand end of the shaft 15 is provided with a sprocket l8 connected by a sprocket chain I9 to a sprocket carried by a source of rotary mechanical power such as the electric motor 2|.

The lower end of the spout i of the parts receiving tray A projects into the interior of the parts inlet opening deflned by the flange Ila of the tumbler drum B so as to deliver parts. into the left-hand end of the interior of the tumbler drum B. During rotation of the drum B, this rotation being at a relatively low speed, parts therewithin will stay in the lower portion of the drum B responsive to gravity and hence will tend to slide or roll on the interior periphery of the drum B. The rods l2 on the inner periphery of the drum B constitute inwardly protruding longitudinal ribs which will be encountered by any parts which tend to slide rather than roll so constructed that the interstices will be small enough to prevent dropping of parts therethrough. Due to the taper of the member ll, rotation of the drum B and the efl'ect of gravity will obviously cause-"gradual shifting of parts within the drum B to the right to flnally fall from the lower portion of the parts outlet formed the axis of the band 23, starts at its left-hand end flush with the band 23 and joined to the righthand edge thereof, as indicated in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, and increases from zero width to full widthvas it continues in a clockwise direction (as viewed from the right of the machine). From the point of attainment of full width thereof the band 24 continues helically to the right (as viewed in Fig. 4) about the axis of the band 23 in a clockwise direction (as viewed from a point to the right of Fig. 4) with continually decreasing radius until the radius has become relatively small compared which is illustrated in Fig. 6 and is shown as hava ing elongated slots 25 therein.

A hollow shaft 20 for rotatably carrying the. tumbler drum C is contained therewithin in co-axialrelation with the band 23. A wall 21, secured at its inner edge to the hollow shaft 2! and disposed radially thereof, starts at the righthand limit of the band 23 and extends helically to the right (as viewed in Fig. 4) in a clockwise direction ,(as viewed in Fig. 5) in radial alignment with the edges ofthe band 24, the radius of the outer edge of the wall 21 continually diminishing to be substantially equal tothe radius of the portion of the right-hand edge of the helical band 24 adjacent thereto. The outer edge of the helical wall 21 is joined to the right-hand edge of the band 24 throughout the length thereof and the left-hand edge of the band 24 is joined to the right-hand face of the wall 21. The wall 21 obviously constitutes means through which the peripheral portion of the tumbler drum 0 is rigidly carried by the hollow shaft 26 in co-axial relation therewith.

The band 24. the wall 21 and the hollow shaft 26 together deflne a helical passage theradius of j the outer limit of which continually decreases as the passage progresses to theright. The lefthand end of this passage opens into the parts receiving chamber within the band 23 to constitute an inlet for receiving parts therefrom and the right-hand end of the passage is open to constitute an outlet for discharging parts therefrom.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the wall 21 is formed or imperforate material. Elements 2:.

. which may be formed of wires, rods, or the like,

are secured to the inner peripheries of the bands 23 and 24 in circumterentially spaced relation to each other, as shown, to form inwardly protruding longitudinal ribs for causing bouncing and rolling of parts disposed within the tumbler drum when the same is rotating.

The hollow shaft 26 01' the tumbler drum C is snugly telescoped onto the right-hand portion of the shaft l and is secured thereon against rotation relative thereto by suitable means such as the set screws 28.

A chute 30, shown in Fig. 1, is provided for receiving parts discharged from the outlet of the tumbler drum B and delivering the received parts into the lower portion or the receiving chamber or the tumbler drum C. The discharge end or the tumbler drum B is made somewhat smaller in diameter than the edge of the flange 220 so that 31 carried by a source of rotary mechanical power such as the electric motor 38.

A chute 39 is provided for receiving parts from the outlet or the tumbler drum C and delivering the received parts into the lower portion of the receiving chamber of the tumbler drum D. An-

parts discharged from the drum B may be carried by gravity into the lower portion or the receiving chamber of the drum C.

II the tumbler drum C is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed from a point to the right of Fig. 1), parts within the receiving chamber of the drum C will gravitate to the right due to the slight taper oi the annular band 23 and will enter the helical passage of the drum C. Continued rotation of the drum C and the efiect of gravity to keep the parts in the lowermost portion of the particular convolution of the helical passage in which the parts are contained will cause the parts to progress to the right inthe helical passage and, since the radius of the passage relative to the rotational axis of the drum C continually decreases, the parts will be ele-.

vated and will issue from the outlet end of the passage at a level considerably higher than the level at which theparts are placed in the parts receiving chamber of the drum C. This enables the parts'to be delivered by gravity from-the outlet of the drum 0 to the inlet chamber of another drum D located co-axially of th'e drum C.

Means is provided in association with the tumbler drum C whereby parts working through the drum C will be washed in a suitable solvent to remove lubricant and remaining grains of metal therefrom. For this p pose an open topped. receptacle 3| is provided and supported from the floor F by supports 32 so that the lower portion 01' the drum C will depend into the interior of th receptacle 3|. with the receptacle 3| filled with a suitable solvent, the lower portion of the tumbler drum C, due to the reticulated construction of the bands 23 and 24, will be fiooded with solventand parts contained in 'the drum C will be immersed in and tumbled about in the solvent to bethoroughly cleansed thereby of lubricant and any adhering metallic particles.

The parts discharged from the outlet of the tumbler drum C will be entirely clean except for a coating of solvent which may be removed in the third tumbler drum D which is to be described. V

The third tumbler drum D may be and preferably is constructed as an identical duplicate or the previously described tumbler drum C and hence need not be separately described. The hollow shaft 26 of the drum D is telescoped onto and secured to a shaft 33 which is axially aligned withand immediately adjacent the righthand end of the previously described shaft IS. The left-hand end of the shaft 33 is journalled in the right-hand half 0! the bearing of the other chute 40 is provided for receiving parts from the outlet of the tumbler drum D and delivering them into the parts receiving tray E. A

shelf 4| supported from the bearing bracket 34 may be provided to serveas a support for the tray E and the tray E is preferably secured thereto by suitable means.

. An open topped receptacle 42, similar to the receptacle 3| previously described, is carried by supports 43 and is associated with the drum D in the same manner as the receptacle 3| is associated with the drum 0. Heating means such as the gas burner 44 served by the gas conduit 45 is provided for heating the receptacle 42 and its contents. The receptacle 82 is normally filled with a fluid suitable for cleaning solvent from parts contained'within. the drum D. Wateris suitable'for this'purpose when heated by the burner 44. The last few convolutioris of the helical passage of the drum D are above the level of the liquid in the receptacle Q2 and hence parts therein will be dried by evaporation stimulated by the high temperature imparted to the parts by the hot liquid in the receptacle 52.

For a purpose to be explained it is preferable that the electric motors 2| and 38 be motors of a reversible type. 1: it is desired that parts be sub Jected to washing action in either or the tumbler drums C and D longerlthan the length or time" provided in normal 0 eration of the machine this may be accomplished by reversing the direction of rotation of the drum involved. As long as reverse rotation is maintained the parts in the reversed drum will remain in the parts receiving chamber or that drum rather than being prograssed through the helical passage thereof.

When it is desired that the parts move through the drum in a normal manner the normal direcin which they are received so that the parts will not be nicked or dented.

The size of mesh in the screen 8 of the tray A and the distance between successive turns of the helically bent wire forming the peripheral'portion of the drum B will, of course, be chosen in accordance with the size of the parts to be handled in the machine. Where parts or various sizes will be handled from time to time it is my intention to provide a series of interchangeable screens 8 of various sizes of mesh and a series or interchangeable drums B. having various spacings between turns of the wire forming the peripheral P rtions thereof.

In cases where independent reversal of the 4 respective drums C and D is not considered essential and the parts to be handled are such that the danger or denting or nicking the same is not a matter of concern, m machine may be simplifled as indicated in Fig. 7. In this form of my machine the tumbler drums B. Cand D are all mounted on a single shaft ll instead of the two shafts l5 and 33. The shaft II is journalled at its, respective ends in bearing brackets 41 and II .-1and, at one end, carries a sprocket l! for driving connections with a source 01' rotary mechanical power. The drums B. C and D are mounted on the shaft 48 in such relation that the outlet ends of the drums B and 0 project a short distance into the parts receiving chambers of the respective drums C and D to discharge parts directly thereinto without the need for chutes corresponding to the chutes l0 and 39 of Fig. 1. Fluid receptacles 3i and 42 and an outlet chute ll may be associated with the drums G and D in the same -3I and 42 associated therewith and filled with a solution of the chemical to be used. Also a drum such as the drums C and D and an associated fluid receptacle such as the receptacles II and 42 may be readily adapted for use in carrying on what is known as the tumbler method of pl g.

2,274,591 r p It is apparent that I have invented a novel,

compact. rugged.- effective and ancient machine capable of automatically performing successive cleaning operations on small machine made parts without the need for manual handling of parts between successive operations thereon, all movement of parts through the machine being e1- iected with the aid of gravity including elevation oi parts in portions of the machine.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What isclaimed is:

A'combined tumbler drum and object elevating device for entrance and exit of objects at respective ends thereof including a peripheral portion comprising a reticulated flat band having a width normal to radii of said drum, said band extending helicaiily about the rotational axis of said drum with a radius relative to said axis diminishing from the entrance end to the exit end of said drum, a helical wall disposed radially of said axis and joined in its outer portion to mutually nearest edges oi! adjoining convolutions of said band, and means supporting said drum for rotation about said axis, said axis being disposed horizontally whereby objects may be introduced into the entrance end of said drum at a level below the level at which said objects will be discharged from said exit end.

MARTINIUS GrDYBTHE. 

